Is a Third Force the answer?
Although we are not optimistic about the current development of a third party, it is undeniable that a third force can indeed help break through the political shackle of either black or white. In the process of democratic development, a third force would be like a moth searching for brightness that risks even its life to fly towards the flames!
By LIM MUN FAH, Sin Chew
Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE
PKR supreme council member Datuk Zaid Ibrahim was hailed as a hero when he first joined the party, but now, he is being branded as an Umno agent on a mission to destroy the party. What should he do amidst the endless accusations and condemnation?
A friend of Zaid’s friend – controversial blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin – does not think that the PKR suits Zaid. He encourages Zaid to form a “third force” to compete with the BN and the Pakatan Rakyat.
According to Raja Petra, he has suggested that Zaid forms a new party, a third force as a balancing point between the BN and the Pakatan Rakyat, as early as before Zaid was appointed a minister while in Umno.
Obviously, Raja Petra has been anxious to find a new political way out and a breakthrough for his friend and for the democratic development in Malaysia. But it is an important factor that must be taken into consideration on whether Malaysia is prepared for a third force. It is also the reason Zaid has chosen to use a political party to form the third force.
If we observe the democratic development in other countries, a third force always rises when voters are tired of the fight between two parties. However, there are very few successful examples. Most of the time, the so-called third force manages only to survive in the crevice between the two mainstream parties, or play some key roles in a deadlock between the two mainstream parties and manages only partial concessions.
Malaysia is still in the early stage of the two-party system. Strictly speaking, the two-party system is still in a very embryonic stage as party alternations have taken place only in states but not the central government since the independence. Many standards for the two-party system are yet to be established and the concept of the two-party system has yet to be further clarified. There is still a long way before achieving maturity and consolidation.
At this historical turning point, it is indeed a question worth pondering whether it is a wise move to abandon the two-party system and create a third force.
Another crucial survival condition for a third force is the surge in the number of swing voters. Based on the current political situation in Malaysia, it is undeniable that there is indeed a surge in swing voters. The greater the number of swing voters in an election, the greater impact it brings to the political situation. It might drive the mainstream political parties away from ideological struggles, causing them to abandon racial instigators and take a more moderate direction.
In political reality, swing voters will most of the time assess the situation and listen to the words and deeds of all parties before moving closer to one of the mainstream parties which is believed to be more reliable. They seldom turn to choose the third force.
Although we are not optimistic about the current development of a third party, it is undeniable that a third force can indeed help break through the political shackle of either black or white. In the process of democratic development, a third force would be like a moth searching for brightness that risks even its life to fly towards the flames!
